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@RICHARDSON SHBARING MACH-INE.

110.415,125., Patented Nov. 12, 1889.

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GEORGE RICHARDSON, OF LAMPASAS SPRINGS, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- `HALF TO E. M. LONGCOPE, S. DUNCAN, AND J. S. LETCHER, ALL OF SAME PLACE.

sHEAmNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Iatent No. 415,125, datedNovember 12, 1889.

Application filed February l l 1889. Serial No. 299,963. (No model.)

' of Lainpasas Springs, in the county of Lamindicated by the line a: oc of Fig. 3.

pasas and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shearing or Clipping Machines; and I dohereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to makeI and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view showing my improved shearer in operation. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the Shearer alone. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal `sectional view of the Shearer andthe flexible shaft. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the shearer with the top or upper parts of the handle and casing removed. Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the plane Figs. 6, 7, and 8 are detail views, respectively, of the stationary and movable plates or cutterplates and the wrinkle-guard. Fig. i) is a View in section of the under side of the forward end of the machine, showing the springs for holding the wrinkle-guard; and Fig. I0 is a cross-sectional view through the pressurespring.

Like letters of reference denote like parts throughout the several views.

My invention relates to shearing or clipping inachines; and it consists in certain iinprovements upon Letters Patent granted to me under date of June l2, 1888, No. 384,545, and more particularly in providing said device with what I designate an improved wrinkle-guard, and also in various other changes or impro vements, as hereinafter more Afully pointed out and described.

Referring to the several parts by letter, A indicates the lower or main part of the handgrasp, B the top plate thereof, C the lower stationary cutting-plate, and D the upper movable cutting-plate, these parts being con- I structed and operated in a similar manner,

ber of teeth upon the lower cutting-plate is preferably reduced to twelve, (in my former patent fourteen teeth being shown and described,) whereas in the upper movable plate I have increased the number of teeth to ten. Suitably secured ybeneath the lower stationary plate C is a wrinkle-guard or plate E, said guard being of a width less than the width of the stationary plate, and provided with a series of upwardly-curved teeth F, preferably eleven in number, which extend to within one-eighth of aninch of the ends of the teeth of the stationary plate, each tooth of the guard fitting exactly between the teeth of the stationary cutter-plate. The advantage of constructing this guard of a width less than the width of the stationary plate and the teeth not extending forward as far as the teeth of said stationary plate is apparent,inasmuch as if the points of both sets of teeth were exactly even they would not enter the wool so readily as when one set is shorter than the other. The wool once entering between the teeth of the stationary cutter becomes confined, and renders it much easier for the teeth of the wrinkle-guard to enter. It will also be seen that as the teeth of the wrinkle-guard extend iiush with the upper edge of the stationary plate in the center of the space between each tooth the free oscillating or reciprocating motion of the movable plate is not prevented.

I have shown this wrinkle-guard secured in place by two small springs G G, attached to' the forward end of the hand-grasp, which clamp it `at H II and hold it firmly against the stationary cutter. It is obvious, however, that this guard may be secured in place by any other desirable means.

The upper cutting-plate D is provided on its upper side with a small spring I, which acts as a pressure-spring, being fastened by a screw J, that extends through the lower stationary plate and screws into the center of the spring. The end of the spring presses on the upper plate, in which there is a slot K, to allow said plate sufficient room to oscillate freely. By the employment of this pressurespring the cutting of the wool or hair vis much more easily accomplished, as it makes itan IOO impossibility for the plate to spring the least apart.

rlhe stem L of the upper plate I) has secured integral therewith a lever M. The rear end of the lever is formed with the two arms N N, which extend laterally and then rearwardly, as fully explained in my former Letters Patent. The extreme rear end of the lever M is provided with a slot O, a longitudinal perforation I intersecting it at right angles and passing through the laterally-ex tending arm of said lever. A screw Q passes through this longitudinal perforation, and is provided with threaded ends for the reception of locking-nuts R R, by which means any wear in either the eccentricavhecl A or said arms can be readily compensated by tighteuing the nuts.

The letter 'l indicates the flexible shaft. In thedrawings I have shown this shaft composed of a series of rods U, of iron, brass, or steel, as desired, and heilig' preferably about one-fourth of an inch in diameter, said rods being provided with screw-threaded ends for the reception lof sockets V. It is obvious,V however, that any other construction of shaft may be employed, so long as the same possesses the quality of flexibility. The outer ends of the sockets have securely fastened therein a double coil of steel wire IV, making the shaft extremely flexible, yet simple and durable.

The lower end of the flexible shaft terminates in a socket or coupling similar to those described for connecting the alternately-arranged series of rods and double coil steel wire, and rigidly secured in the end thereof, and extending into the casing, is a short shaft X, upon which the eccentric wheel turns. It is obvious, however, that instead of the flexible shaft terminating in one of these couplings it may be provided on its end with a socket similar to that shown and described by me in Letters Patent No. 384,545. Upon the shaft X, between this lower coupling and the rear casin g, I also prefer to provide a small balance-wheel Y, adapted to counteract the vibration causedby the eecentric-wheel while in rapid motion. The mechanism for turning and operating this shaft is substantially similar to that described in my former Letters Patent, No. 38i,5i5, and

need not therefore be specifically described. i It will be seen that this device differs in several important essentials from. the invention as exempli fied byLetters Patentherei nbcfore referred to. In the first place, I have provided an improved wrinkle-guard for the pur pose of entirely preventing all. wrinkles from getting between the teeth and being cutduring the operation of shearing. By means of this simple device I can shear any sheep, be it ever so wrinkled, without the least fear of cutting it.. The device will therefore be found particularly advantageous in shearing the American and Spanish merino sheep, in which grade the wrinkles are very common, and without this guard it is impossible to make a sheep-shearing machine do the work without injuring to a great degree. It will also be found desirable in adapting the device to the class of sheep mentioned to construct the same of a width of from four to three inches, which renders its utility much more effective.

I have also provided a simple and expeditious means for compensating for the wear caused by friction between the eeeentries and the rearwardly-elitending portions of the pivotcd lever, whereby said wear maybe rapidly rectified.

Having thus fully described my invention, what 'I claim as new, and desire to secure protection in by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. A' wrinkle-guard for cliliping-machinos, consisting of a metallic plate having a series of upwardlyscurved teeth,said plate adapted to be secured beneath the lower cutter of the machine, and each tooth thereof fitting exactly between the teeth ot' said lower cutter, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the handle having a casin g at its rear end, of the stationary plate having a series of teeth, the movable plate provided with a series of teeth, the central pivoted lever having a slotted rear end and laterally and rearwardly extending arms, said laterally-extending portions being provided with a longitudinal perforation, the tighteningscrew, the shaft mounted in the end casing," the eccentric disk mounted upon said shaft, and suitable means for revolving said shaft, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereunto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE RICI IARDSON.

W itnesses:

JNO. W. COVINGTON, W. T. MUNGER.

lOO 

